4 Tips For Blastin’ A 460cc Driver
Even if you’re already comfortable with a 460cc driver, it never hurts to get back to the basics and make sure you’re doing the little things right. Here are four quick tips for hitting an oversized driver:
- Tee It Up – The driver should be no more than one-third of the way up the ball. You may need to ditch the 2 1/8″ tees.
- Move It Forward – Slide your stance back so the ball is closer to your front foot. Try some different set-ups next time you’re at the range, but you’ll probably find the inside edge of your left foot (for righties) is where you want it to be.
- Adjust & Aim For The Center – Do you set your driver down on the ground at address? Well, the clubface is going to be an inch or two higher during your swing, and that might be holding you back. Next time, set up so that the toe of the club is lined up with the ball. Raise the club to swingin’ height and the center of the clubface is where it needs to be!
- Hit It On The Upswing – Catch the rock on the way up and out and you’ll see a higher launch angle and lower spin rate – both good things! This is another reason to move the ball forward (tip #2).
What I want to know is, any Rock Heads still swingin’ the small heads? I play with a guy who just upgraded from a 380 to a 425cc head, so I know there’s got a to be a few more out there somewhere. How small a head are YOU hitting, how long have you had it, and why haven’t you super-sized your #1 wood yet?
More more helpful hints, learn how to Improve Your Game With Scratch’s Best Driving Drills!
-Scratch
PS: These tips originally appeared (along with a little more detail) on About.com. Worth clicking through if you’re lookin’ for some quick golf tips!
I’m still using a King Cobra driver I purchaed back in 1983 while in Myrtle Beach. I actually use my Cobra three wood for a lot of drives that require tighter accuracy. The reason I have not moved up to a 460cc driver is the larger club head makes me have a tendenacy to swing too hard which creates a bad slice. My average distance with my 1983 King Cobra driver is 275 yards. I get approximately 250 yards with my three wood. I’m not sure I would improve that distance with a 460cc club. I’m 64 years old and currently have a 10 handicap and I’m very satified with my game. There is a fear factor of changing what already seems to be working fine. If there was a guarantee that the 460cc would reduce my score by three to four strokes, then I might invest but right now, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.
DEMO DAY DEMO DAY DEMO DAY Find out when the golf company reps will be at your course or one near by.CHUCK
460CC DRIVER! It feels like swinging a size 12 steeltoe boot that’s on the end of the worlds longest toothpick at the ball. I tried one and my drive went left, it went right , it killed thirty worms on it’s way to the ladies tee and I have one that still hasn’t landed. I don’t have the back swing as most because of two operations on my right shoulder so I have to swing steady and easy and try not to overcome my backswing with my contact speed or who knows where it will go. I have tried every kind of driver under the sun and the bigger they get the worse my drive gets. I still use a pre Vietnam dunlop 3 wood from WALMART. How about that! I average about 230 yards with it. I heard they are making smaller head drivers again. Hurray, does Scratch have any?
***Response From Scratch ***
You’re right, some of the big brands are starting to get back to the smaller style. I’ll keep my crew on the lookout for some of the new smaller drivers Hackattack! In the meantime, sounds like you’re more than making due with your 3-wood. Rock Heads: check out my fairway woods (starting with the Adams Insight BUL) if you’re looking to try something smaller.
-Scratch
I went from a 360cc driver to a 460cc this year. I find it easier to get the ball off the tee, and also get a longer flight. I do use a seniors flex graphite shaft, and have had very few problems with the driver so far. No feeling of a greater weight…just longer and more accurate drives. I don’t tee the ball 2″ up either, or I’m hitting sky-balls all the time.
I hit the big boys and think they definatley increase distance AFTER a period of experimenting with proper tee height and swing plane—I found a baseball style swing works for me otherwise I tend to get skyballs.
No matter what size head is used, it’s all about the shaft. A properly fitted shaft can be put into any driver head and the golfer will see immediate improvement. Unfortunately, I play with many Sr. golfers who think I’m crazy to use a $100 shaft until they play with me and see the improvement from when I was using a ‘stock’ shaft. If I hit a stray drive, I am confident that it was the fault of the Indian rather than the arrow.
I have a 460 Taylormade Burner and I feel very comfortable looking at the head from above at the tee box, it inspires confidence and slows me down to allow the club to do the work, I personally dont see why you wouldn’t go BIG!
My Taylormade Burner is the BEST driver I’ve ever owned. The action the ball gets off of the clubface is fantastic! I used to use a Calloway Big Bertha, no comparison!!
I use the 460’s. Would not go back.
And I agree with Larry, tall tee’s equal tall problems for me. I tee it up forward in my stance, just inside my left heel, with the top of the ball just about 1/4 inch below the top of the club at address, with the club about 1/2 inch off the ground.
I just bought the Burner from you folks and I LOVE it. I can hit off the tee like I have never done before. I am getting looks at the green I’ve never had. NOW…if I can only buy a 2nd shot! I am a little confused with tip # 3. The club should not sit on ground at address??
*** Response From Scratch ***
Glad you’re diggin’ the Burner Andy! As for tip #3, the main idea is that the hottest part of the face is dead square center. Depending on how high you tee your ball, grounding the club at address may be setting yourself up for a swing path that puts the ball on a different part of the club than that sweetspot. (Usually you come in too low and then you’re hittin’ pop ups.) But if you’re getting good wood off the tee by lettin’ it settle on the ground, keep doin’ what you’re doing! Next time you’re at the range, though, you may want to try hovering behind the ball just to see if it gets you a little extra “pop!”
-Scratch
I moved from a 9.5 Taylor Made R7 to a 10.5 Taylor Made Burner 07 about 2 years ago. Recently, I pulled the 9.5 R7 out of retirement because I was getting way too much loft on my drives, particularly on windy days and losing distance. I now carry both the old 9.5 R7 and a recently purchased 9.5 R7 Limited. Although the larger heads are a bit longer for me, the smaller head seems to be more consistent and on the courses I play most often the smaller head driver will leave me 100 to 120 yards away from the green which is my most productive approach shot distance.
With all of the USGA restrictions on club head construction, finding the correct shaft is where you can get the most game improvement. If you can get fitted with a shaft that compensates for your swing characteristics and performs to your expectations you will be happy no matter the head size.
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Thanks, Grover! Always great to know we’re doing our job here at good ol’ Rock Bottom.
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